Magnanimous Collector: Don’s Music is movin’ on up

“For Rent.”

The sign in the front window of Don’s Music was irrefutable. A few minutes previous, strolling along Eagle Rock Boulevard, I’d counted my lucky stars at living within walking distance of a shop like this.

Although sales of vinyl are up as the CD market flounders, L.A.’s record store family has dwindled of late. R.I.P., Aaron’s, Rhino Records and House of Records, to name three. Amoeba remains the biggest game in town, although its sprawling size, surly security force and byzantine organization sap it of the modest charm contained within cozier quarters.

Don’s is the definition of snug, like the record stores I remember from childhood -- cluttered, unruly spaces helmed by iconoclastic and equally unruly dudes with more eclectic vision and taste than marketing or customer service skills, where hours could be spent scouring for obscure and dusty treasures.

Housed for three years at 4873 Eagle Rock Blvd., Don’s is jam-packed with thousands of new and used records of every category, not to mention CDs, guitars and assorted music-related ephemera. Visiting is like slipping on a comfortable old pair of slippers. Regulars banter with Don about music and the state of the world and pet the store cat, 13, who is usually found napping atop a record bin.

“No,” I thought. “Not Don’s!” I was about to squeeze out a tear or two when the door to the shop next door opened and Don himself emerged into the twilight, spattered with white paint.

I gestured at the sign. “You’re not…"

“Nope,” Don replied. “Just moving. Right next door, as a matter of fact. It’s bigger.”

After I heaved a sigh of relief, he showed me around his new digs. Formerly a beauty shop, it was big, open and bare. The blood-red walls will soon display art courtesy of Don’s creative friends, and the battered floor will be painted metallic gold. Best of all, there will also be a lot more room for record bins and, hopefully, the biggest disco ball Don can find.

Eyeing empty curtain brackets above the front window, he mused, “Maybe some red velvet curtains. That might be a little too crazy.” The grand opening in the new digs is tentatively set for March 30, good news for record addicts the city over.

-- Photo and post by Jason Gelt

Read more of the Magnanimous Collector here.

Comments

[Manthony]

I now look forward to the weekly Magnanimous Collector blog post, which I receive via RSS feed right into my inbox, so I know the moment when the little nugget has arrived!

Anway, great post this week. Nice twist; I was all ready to lament the demise of the 'Mom and Pop' record store. Glad to see that is not the case. Again, thanks for the awesome recommendation MG. Keep 'em comin'.